In this series of teaching on stewardship, John Cole revised and taught from a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors shared for churches like ours. Read the handout notes here...

Money is a wonderful tool and a terrible master.

Basic Principles

1. Everything you have belongs to God.

2. God has made you a steward of all that you have.

3. Hoarding is spiritually damaging.

4. Spend, save, and give everything to the glory of God.

How much should I spend?

First, ask: "What lifestyle has God called me to?" A lifestyle can determine a set of needs that exceed our income.

Our perceived needs tend to rise with our income.

So . . . how do you choose a lifestyle?

1. Lifestyle is often defined in big pieces—but can slide incrementally over time.

2. Time and money are interchangeable.

3. Flexibility is a virtue.

4. Keep the long view in mind.

5. Consider the weaker brother.

6. Consider which opportunities seem unique to you.

Seek first God’s Kingdom with faith in your Father.

Matthew 6:30–32 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

So Jesus says, look beyond survival and your own personal capabilities, and have faith in God’s purpose and provision for you.

Matthew 6:33–34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

When we trust God’s purpose and provision, we steward with the right priorities and perspective.

Proverbs 27:23–27 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, And herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, For the food of thy household, And for the maintenance for thy maidens.

1. Be diligent to know the count , condition, and countenance of your resources. (v23a)

2. Look well to the resources God’s has given you. (v23b)

3. Trust that God created and rules things so that in your wise diligence, provisions will be meet for you and your family, your team, and further investment and expansion of resources . (v25-27)

4. Faith in God leads you to do good to your resources, family, team, and overall stewardship.

A budget is a tool to help us both trust in God’s good provision and apply personal diligence .

A budget is a tool for things such as:

1. Charting

2. Counting

2. Calming

3. Contentedness

4. Communication

Stewardship as a Community Project

The first danger is one of judging.

1. Don’t assume motives .

2. When you do speak to someone about their financial decisions, make sure that your motivation is one of compassion and not distain.

There is also the danger of pride .